By Alexandra Guerrero
Finding proper Hispanic representation on TV can be quite iffy, while regularly stumbling across characters like Gloria from Modern Family (2009) and the family from George Lopez (2002) who display stereotypical personalities for Hispanics, further feeding into stereotypes and over-generalizations. As a Mexican-American myself, I believe it’s important to acknowledge when these representations are positive and actively defying over-generalizations. As much as I love these shows, I think other Mexican films offer better representations. Instructions Not Included (2013), and El Secreto Del Río, “The Secret of The River” (2024), are films that offer a representation that not only breaks these overgeneralizations but digs deeper, adding meaning to the Mexican identity.
Growing up on the San Diego and Tijuana border while being fluent in Spanish has allowed me exposure to a variety of films. I was very excited when Eugenio Derbez made his American film debut with Instructions Not Included (2013). This tear-jerking film represents Latinx characters in a complex matter. In the movie, Eugenio Derbez plays Valentin, an Acapulco native, who endures an unexpected journey from Acapulco to LA to look for a better lifestyle for his daughter. The film’s dialogue is mainly in Spanish and encompasses challenges like language barriers, culture clashes, and immigration, all with a sense of humor making the movie feel relatable and comforting to the Hispanic audience. Throughout, Valentin explores the challenge that is fatherhood while also facing other challenges that are prevalent in our community. Regardless of these struggles, Valentin is successful in creating a colorful lifestyle for his daughter Maggie. This representation is comforting as it displays our community’s struggles with a face of perseverance. The movie was distributed by Pantelion Films, aiming to target the American-Spanish speaking audience, but it ended up becoming a representation of our resistance and perseverance while also becoming the highest grossing Spanish language film of all time.
The Netflix original series, El Secreto Del Río (2024), “The Secret of the Lake,” produced by Mexican producers Alejandro Zuno, and Ernesto Contreras, and Mexican-Canadian producer Alba Gil does more than demonstrate Mexican culture, highlights a piece of Oaxacan culture by featuring Muxes, through the story of a blossoming friendship between two young boys. The friendship between Manuel and Erick flourishes as Manuel expresses feelings of gender dysphoria and a desire to become a Muxe. A Muxe is someone who identifies and expresses themselves as a woman and was assigned a man at birth. Erick is supportive even though Muxes are looked down on by his father. Several years later after being separated, Manuel returns to the small town of Istmo de Tehuantepec, as a woman named Sicaru, which means beautiful in Zapoteco. Erick is initially confused but then grows to understand through thoughtful conversations. Not only does this show represent Mexican/Oaxacan culture, but it also advocates for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community, inclusivity, and loyalty. Alongside Derbez, both of these films demonstrate a colorful and deepening representation of Mexican culture.
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